Section 296-800-28045. Make sure electrical equipment has overcurrent protection.

You must:

• Make sure all electrical circuits that are rated at 600 volts or less have overcurrent protection.

• Protect conductors and equipment from overcurrent according to their ability to safely conduct electrical current.

• Make sure overcurrent devices do not interrupt the continuity of grounded conductors unless all conductors are opened at the same time, except for motor running overload protection.

– Locate or shield fuses and circuit breakers so that employees will not be burned or otherwise injured by their operation.

– Make sure handles or levers of circuit breakers, and similar parts that may move suddenly in such a way that persons in the vicinity are likely to be injured by being struck by them, are guarded or isolated.

• Make sure the following fuses and thermo cutouts have disconnecting means:

– All cartridge fuses accessible to nonqualified persons.

– All fuses in circuits over 150 volts to ground.

– All thermal cutouts on circuits over 150 volts to ground.

• The disconnecting means must be installed so you can disconnect the fuses or thermal cutouts without disrupting service to equipment and circuits unrelated to those protected by the overcurrent device.

• Provide easy access to overcurrent devices for each employee or authorized building management personnel.

• Locate overcurrent devices:

– Away from easily ignitable material.

– Where they are not exposed to physical damage.

• Make sure circuit breakers clearly indicate whether they are open (off) or closed (on).

• Install circuit breakers that operate vertically so the handle is in the "up" position when the breaker is closed (on).

– Circuit breakers used as switches in 120-volt, fluorescent lighting circuits must be approved for that purpose and marked "SWD."

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 12-16-064, § 296-800-28045, filed 7/31/12, effective 9/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-16-047, § 296-800-28045, filed 8/1/02, effective 10/1/02; WSR 01-11-038, § 296-800-28045, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01.]

RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 12-16-064, § 296-800-28045, filed 7/31/12, effective 9/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-16-047, § 296-800-28045, filed 8/1/02, effective 10/1/02; WSR 01-11-038, § 296-800-28045, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01.